Kochi: Turning the life of Lakshadweep people miserable, the administrator of the island is aiming in making huge changes like privatisation. The steps to hand over the management of Bangaram tourism island and Kochi guest house of Lakshadweep to private agencies have been initiated.

As part of privatizing the tourism and other major sectors in the island, 190 employees of the tourism department were terminated. More staff are likely to be terminated from service, it is learnt.

Bangaram is one of the zero-populated islands in Lakshadweep. The island has a length of only 8 kilometres and width of 4 kilometres and is used for tourism purpose only. There are 30 rooms for lodging tourists in the resort. It also has restaurant, scuba diving and water sports facilities.

The island was owned by a private group for many years. Later, the administration reclaimed the island through a long legal battle. The Lakshadweep Tourism have been handling Bangaram island for the past few years. The staff of the island resort were locals. They were also among the terminated staff.

Five star resort groups or above are considered for managing the Bangaram eco-tourism centre. The contract is for five years. But the documents released by the island administration show that the contract can be extended for five more years after the validity expires.

Similarly, the guest house at Gandhi Nagar in Kochi which is directly run by Lakshadweep administration also will be handed over to a private agency.

The guest house is used by Lakshadweep people for stay when they come to Kochi for treatment or other purposes. There are 58 dormitories, 42 rooms including 4 AC rooms, restaurant and ticket booking counter.

The guest house is leased to private agencies for the first time. The contract is for three years and the administration can extend this for two more years. It is learnt that all procedures are completed and the agency was selected.

After the dairy farms in Lakshadweep was closed, attempt to deliver Gujarat Milk Cooperative Society's products in the island was initiated. An order was issued to set up the first centre in Kavaratti.

Lakshadweep Cooperative Marketing Federation is in charge of distribution. More centres will be opened in other islands too after assessing the sales in Kavaratti.